While all the men and women who serve as volunteers and on staff at the North Mason Regional Fire Authority consistently give of themselves to help others, the fire authority recognized the exemplary service of a select few at its annual awards dinner last month.

The North Mason Regional Fire Authority, which serves Belfair and the Tahuya Peninsula, honored Donovan Arnold with Career Member of the Year, an award for individuals who exhibit the core values of the organization.

“(The Career Member of the Year is) considered a true mentor, leader and coach,” said Fire Prevention Captain Jeromy Hicks. “You can find them working within the organization and outside the organization making our community a better place.”

Arnold holds several roles in the North Mason Regional Fire Authority, including member of the safety committee, union secretary and a volunteer whenever needed, proving especially helpful in the training of new members.

“He has been a pillar of consistency with the department,” Hicks said. “His positive attitude and dedication have been noticeably contagious … He continually proves his proficiency on emergency scenes and is constantly working to improve himself.”

The fire authority awarded Volunteer Member of the Year to Daulton Crabtree, who is “generous” with his time and consistently show up to calls, drills and meetings, sometimes placing the needs of the public above his own and his family, Hicks said.

“He served as a role model to our other wildland firefighters during deployments this summer,” Hicks continued. “He has taken an active role in helping at many department functions and pulling extra shifts to get experience from all crews.”

Woody Flynn has been recognized as the authority’s Community Response Team Member of the Year because he is an individual who genuinely cares about his neighbors and does his best to assist in their safety, Hicks noted.

“He is appreciated for his willingness and desire to help out and get involved wherever needed,” he said. “He is always very upbeat, positive and respectful. He responds to many calls and is helpful, smart and hardworking. He has been a huge asset for the crews at Station 27.”

The Chief Mike Greene Award was bestowed upon Carl Ehresman because he “simply stated goes above and beyond their basic fire and EMS expectations,” Hicks said.

“Carl has taken on a number of projects throughout the community to help improve our agency,” he said. “He has helped mend and develop our relationship with the Urgent Care clinic. He takes action when something is broken and follows through ensuring parts are ordered.”

Ehresman also takes a role in the hiring process and mentors new members.